Many of you are wondering, I suppose, what in the world my purpose is Strictly, what my purpose was. The aorist tense reflects the
 fact that the Athenian orators had to give written notice, in advance, of any subject
 they proposed to discuss before the General Assembly. See Isoc.
 7.15 . in coming forward to address you on The Public
 Safety , as if Athens were in danger
 or her affairs on an uncertain footing, when in fact she possesses more than two hundred
 ships-of-war, enjoys peace throughout her territory, maintains her empire on the sea, The second Athenian Confederacy, organized in 378 B.C. See General Introduction p. xxxvii. 
 and has, furthermore, many allies who, in case of any need, will readily come to her
 aid, He refers here, probably, to allies by special
 treaty as distinguished from the allies next mentioned, who were members of the
 Confederacy and under the leadership of Athens . The latter paid their quotas into the Athenian treasury for the
 support of the Confederate navy. and many more allies who are paying their
 contributions In the second Confederacy the word su/ntacis (contribution) was used instead of fo/ros (tribute) which became an odious term in the
 Confederacy of Delos . Cf. Isoc. 15.123 . and obeying her commands. With these
 resources, one might argue that we have every reason to feel secure, as being far removed
 from danger, while our enemies may well be anxious and take thought for their own safety.
 Now you, I know, following this reasoning, disdain my coming forward, and are confident
 that with this power you will hold all Hellas 
 under your control. But as for myself, it is because of these very things that I am
 anxious; for I observe that those cities which think they are in the best circumstances
 are wont to adopt the worst policies, and that those which feel the most secure are most
 often involved in danger. The cause of this is that nothing of either good or of evil visits mankind unmixed, but
 that riches and power are attended and followed by folly, and folly in turn by
 licence; See General Introduction p. xxxiii. 
 whereas poverty and lowliness are attended by sobriety and great moderation; so that it is hard to decide which of these lots one should prefer to bequeath to one's
 own children. For we shall find that from a lot which seems to be inferior men's fortunes
 generally advance to a better condition, Cf. Isoc. 6.103 ff. whereas from one which appears to be
 superior they are wont to change to a worse.